MUMBAI: Key Indian equity indices -- the NSE Nifty50 and the BSE Sensex -- opened on a higher note during the early morning trade session on Monday with healthy buying witnessed in IT and banking stocks.

Around 9.19 a.m., the wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) traded at 9,905.35 points -- up 48.30 points or 0.49 per cent.

The 30-scrip Sensitive Index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 31,756.87 points, traded at 31,747.10 points -- up 151.04 points or 0.48 per cent from Thursday's close at 31,596.06 points.

The Sensex has so far touched a high of 31,775.06 points and a low of 31,734.64 points during the intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth was bullish with 843 advances and 293 declines.

On Thursday, the benchmark indices closed on a flat-to-positive note as short covering in healthcare stocks, coupled with positive European markets and a strong rupee, kept investors' sentiments afloat.

The Nifty closed fractionally higher by 4.55 points or 0.05 per cent at 9,857.05 points, while the Sensex closed at 31,596.06 points -- up 28.05 points or 0.09 per cent.

The Indian equity markets were closed on Friday on account of Ganesh Chaturthi.